It’s about that time of the year when motivation and focus begin to dwindle. Let’s face it, it’s cold and dreary. The holidays are over. Your resolutions were out the window weeks ago and you’re beginning to dream of those care-free summer days. Motivation is at an all time low. Am I right?

But you can’t give up yet! You just can’t.

Don’t worry. It happens to everyone, even the most inspiring and energetic people fall into slumps, especially around this time of the year. Not to mention Valentines day is around the corner. It’s much easier to day dream about your sweetie than focus on the daunting math problem on the board. Nonetheless, you gotta get your head in the game! It’s easy to be overcome by the slump and end up without a clue come finals time. Finals seems far away now, but they will sneak up on you and hit you like a tornado…or is it a ton of bricks? Either way, not good.

Here are some tips and tricks to stay motivated and focused during these dreary winter days:

1. Make a Plan

Start with the hardest/most creative tasks first. It’s easy to start off with the simple stuff, but you will be more productive if you tackle big assignments first. Prioritize your tasks and assignments on a to-do list and check off as you go! You will feel better with every check! Don’t forget to plan time for breaks as well and set time limits on your tasks.

The look on your face when checking something off your list

2. Set Goals

Make goals and visualize them. Visualize your end result and make your vision become reality. Olympic athletes always visualize their end result. They even visualize the sweat dripping from their face as they reach the finish line. Visualize the “A” at the top of your exam. Finishing your homework and handing it in. Finally understanding that math problem that was giving you trouble, etc.

Success kid always visualizes his goals

3. Get Support/Ask for Help

Surround yourself with people who are cheering you on, or who are in the same boat as you. Ask for help when you need it. MathCrunch is there 24/7 for your every math need.

4. Stay Healthy

Exercising and eating right can help you feel better and stay focused.

mmmmmm brain food

5. Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Remember what you’re working for. To get an A? Get into the school of your dreams? Impress your parents? Impress your crush? Get smarter? Don’t lose sight of your goals.

This eye is on the prize

6. Get Organized

Make sure your work area is clean and tidy for utmost focus. This includes your backpack or purse. Organize folders on your computer. Make sure you don’t have loose papers in your back pack. Clean your room. Starting with a clean, fresh slate is good for motivation.

If animals live in your backpack, probably time to clean it out

7. Do Tough/Creative Tasks First

Doing mindless or easy stuff first uses up your precious energy making it even harder to focus on the important stuff. Get your creative juices flowing by jumping right in!

Jumping right in!

8. Finish Tasks

Don’t leave things incomplete. Multi tasking can be good in certain situations, but to stay focused for a long amount of time, it’s better and more fulfilling to finish things one at a time.

Unless you have this many arms -do one thing at a time

9. Remember the Reasons Why You Want to Accomplish Your Goals in the First Place